W140 S320 4 speed to 5 speed?

[James Rothwell]

Does anyone know what year the W140 S320 went from 4 speed auto to the 5 speed electronic automatic gearbox?

I believe it was an option from 96, and then maybe in 98 is was standard?

Is the only way to tell apart from driving to look at the gear selector?
If it says

P
R
D
4
3
2

Is it a 5 speed?

 

[Roger Jones]

Both 4-speed (722.371, 722.368) and 5-speed boxes (722.505, 722.502) appear alongside the S320 in MB's own Technical data passenger cars, October 1993 edition.

 

[MPG]

If it mentions "4" then it must be a 5 speed. A 4 speed would just read P R N D 3 2 1

 

[BTB 500]

On the R129 the 5-speed box became standard on the 1997 model (late 1996). It was an option before that.

 

[James Rothwell]

Thanks guys. I would guess the W140 and R129 follow similar seeing as they both where top of the range.

Has anyone driven both S320 with 4 speed and 5 speed boxes? I've only ever driven S500 and am worried about performance and noise at motorway speeds. I'd like it to be efficent and reasonable on fuel at 130kph and the ability to sit on autobahns at 200kph whilst being quite the S500 is fine for this I just worry the 3.2 will be revving too much?

 

[Setanta]

The V8's are barely ticking over at 130kph whereas the S320 would be working harder

 

[James Rothwell]

The V8's are barely ticking over at 130kph whereas the S320 would be working harder

I've had an S500 and I like them, but is the S320 okay at higher speeds or does it get a bit loud? What kind of mpg do you get out of them?

I had a E320 V6 before that used to get 32mpg on long trips and my S500 used to get 27mpg, I imagine a S320 would be somewhere in the middle?

 

[MBManInKen]

According to the authority on the W140, the 5-speed box was introduced in 1995 from 1995 onwards, first on the 600 coupe, then gradually across the rest of the range.

Certainly, my 1996 W140 had the 5-speed box and that was standard, not an option.

I have to say that compared to the older 4-speed boxes, the more advanced electronically managed 5-speed box was a significant improvement. Faster in its reactions and very smooth indeed.

I've had an S500 and I like them, but is the S320 okay at higher speeds or does it get a bit loud? What kind of mpg do you get out of them?

Loud? A W140? They are very well insulated against noise and a W140 wafts you round in silence and comfort.

However, I have to say that while the 6-cylinders are nice engines, the very heavy W140 really comes to its own with a V8 engine.

 

[Roger Jones]

MB Official figures (litres per 100km)

S320 (4-speed/5-speed)
City 15.8/16.3
90kph 10.3/9.3
120kph 12.3/11.1

S500
City 17.2
90kph 10.0
120kph 11.9

To convert to mpg:
http://tinyurl.com/FuelFigureConversion

 

[James Rothwell]

I've tried to search but no look on this site or the US BenzWorld.

But is gearbox number- 722605 a 5 speed?

 

[MBManInKen]

But is gearbox number- 722605 a 5 speed?

Yes.